Strands of my Lover's Hair

ISBN: 9781847471116 Published: 2007 Pages: 157 Key Themes: obesessive compulsive disorder (OCD), schizo-efective disorder, anxiety

'Stands of my Lover's Hair' is the story is of a schizo-effective sufferer who is not even very good at being that; subdued to the void and infiltrated by anxiety and torment in a world of obsession. Matthew has written this book, a love story, as a means of coping with his illness. In Matthew's words "Achieving romance, fame, first class degrees, prestigious jobs and glittering accolades is what life is all about. Regret is how you end it. Writing is about letting yourself and others know how strange life really is and that we are all unfortunately strangers in a world we understand only too well." Read this excellent book and you'll come to similar conclusions about life. Matthew has taken a stand, risen above his illness and become an empowered and empowering individual.

Matthew Woods was born in 1970 in Chigwell Row, Essex. Matthew's interest in literature began at Chigwell School through reading, theatre and being published in the school magazine. He went on to study academic English Literature and Poetry but dropped out due to the beginnings of schizo-affective disorder. During the next ten years Matthew's time was spent between his family home, Victorian asylums and Frinton-On-Sea where most of his writing was done. He has been a founder member of Spanners, Clubhouse and the SAFE advocacy service in Epping Forest which provides recovery and reduces the stigma of mental health issues. Matthew met his partner Lorriane in Essex and they have a daughter called Constance, to whom 'Strands of my Lover's Hair' is dedicated.